RICHMOND, Va. – A Hanover County, Virginia, man was issued two summonses on state weapons charges after he was stopped by Transportation Security Administration officers at the Richmond International Airport (RIC) checkpoint on Sunday, Nov. 6 when TSA officers detected a 9 mm handgun among the man’s carry-on items. The semi-automatic handgun was loaded with 15 bullets.

TSA officers immediately contacted the Richmond International Airport Police, who responded, confiscated the gun and issued the man, a resident of Ashland, Virginia, two summonses to appear in court.

This incident serves as a reminder that individuals are responsible for the belongings that they bring to a security checkpoint, and TSA’s advice to people is to look through bags thoroughly before coming to the airport to make sure there are no illegal or prohibited items.

Individuals who bring firearms to the checkpoint are subject to possible criminal charges from law enforcement and civil penalties from TSA up to $12,000.

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) screens approximately 2 million passengers and their luggage every day for prohibited items, including weapons and explosives. To do this, TSA uses imaging technology to safely screen passengers for any items which may be concealed under clothing, while X-ray units screen all carry-on baggage.

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